was appointed first Chairman with J. A. Willmore and J. Pearson, of
R. H. & J. Pearson, Ironmongers, directors. J. G. Willmore took
over the duties of Secretary and A. L. Collins, of Messrs. Wild and
Wild, Solicitors, became legal adviser to the company. The Chairman's
brother, F. Eckstein, was engaged as auditor at an annual fee of two
guineas.
In addition, William Eckstein and J. A. Willmore
became manager, in which capacity they were soon joined by D. W. McInnes
who became a third manager when he was elected to the Board a little
later in the year. Unfortunately, the death of Mr. Pearson occurred within
two years of his joining the company and very little is known of the part
he played in its formation.
Rapid progress followed the formation of the
company. In May 1897, W. C. Heney was appointed agent in Dublin, and
in the same month a seven years' agreement was signed with the Toronto
Radiator Company which granted to Haywards the sole agency for the sale
of the Canadian company's goods in England. J. R. Niven and Company
of Johannesburg had already been appointed agents in Transvaal, the
Australian connection was broadening and efforts were made generally
to secure greater representation both at home and overseas. The Minute
Book of 1897 records an advertisement for an "Eastern and South Eastern
Counties traveller so that we many press our specialties in those
districts in which we are hardly represented." Entries for the latter
part of the year show the establishment of further agencies in Cardiff
and Buenos Aires.
Considerable alterations were made to the office
and showrooms in this year of incorporation; a phonograph or dictaphone
was also installed and the same year brought J. Gray to the staff. The
first accounts showed a profit of £6,764, enabling a dividend of
27 pre cent to be paid, and a considerable increase in turnover due to
greater export trade was reported. A Mr. Vickers was the successful
candidate for the post of traveller in the Eastern and South Eastern
Counties, but regrettably a dispute arose and the agreement was terminated,
Mr. Vickers sending back